RECEIVE NEWS FROM ALLIANCE EARTH

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This documentary tells the story of how five countries in Southern Africa have joined forces to protect and preserve the precious watersheds of Kavango and Zambezi Rivers, and how this ambitious plan impacts on the rights of the people living in this vast area.

Click through the slide show for some of the latest images from the project

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As one of the largest conservation areas in the world, the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, known as the “KAZA Park”, spans an area the size of Italy in the heart of Southern Africa where Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet. Through a remarkable and unprecedented collaboration these five countries have committed themselves to co-ordinate their wildlife and water conservation approaches. By breaking down old, colonial borders and the fences that marked them, the park allows the remaining wildlife to roam freely in this area and to follow their natural migration routes. In the face of ever increasing water scarcity this can mean the difference between life and death for many of the region’s endangered species. It is also hoped that the plan will bring more development and jobs benefiting the people in this area.

Many species of wild animals, including the largest population of African Elephants, already roam across this landscape. The threats to their survival range from climate change to habitat loss, and illegal trade. Unlike the hopelessness with which this issue is often presented, conservation initiatives already exist within areas of the KAZA park that offer a multitude of positive and successful solutions. Collectively these approaches have the potential to turn the tide on the disappearing species of sub-Saharan Africa, especially when they are rolled out across the five countries’ artificial state boundaries.

There are an estimated 2 – 2.5 million people living in the park, many of whom live in poverty and social and economic deprivations. Human rights, like the right to water, are deeply connected to environmental protection and the KAZA plan is envisioned to promote both.

What Is Being Created?

A 100 minute feature length documentary about the KAZA project for worldwide distribution and as an Informative package for people affected by and included in the park. This is a short version of the upcoming feature-length documentary, Wilderness Beyond Borders.

Online Sharing:

A website and a blog enable weekly live updates with stories about the project hosted by LinkTV and interfaces for mobile devices so that people with only cellphone access (like many KAZA residents) can also follow this project as it unfolds. See the blog with stories about the project,

Funding:

With funds received from the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa we started this project as part of “Creating a Climate for Change”. We are currently seeking funding to complete “Wilderness Beyond Boarders”. Please get in touch for more information on how to get involved.